Small Chest Of Drawers
Vintage 1960s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Nickel
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-17th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Brass
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Antique Mid-17th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 19th Century Japanese Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Late 20th Century Dutch Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ebony, Amboyna
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1810s English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Ebony, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm, Wood
20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rattan
Antique Mid-18th Century English Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron
Vintage 1980s Italian Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s Finnish Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine
Antique Early 1800s German Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lucite, Wood, Glass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood
Vintage 1910s Italian Louis XV Night Stands
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of D...
Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Formica, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Vintage 1980s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Lacquer
Antique 1890s German Baroque Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique Early 18th Century Queen Anne Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
20th Century French Régence Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Antique Early 18th Century English William and Mary Commodes and Chests ...
Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Antique 19th Century German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
2010s British Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Rosewood, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Faux Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Paint
Antique 1890s Danish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
20th Century British Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Yew
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Paint
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique 1790s German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1820s French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
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Small Chest Of Drawers For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Small Chest Of Drawers?
Finding the Right Commodes and Chests of Drawers for You
Shopping for a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A chest of drawers is also sometimes known as a dresser or a bureau. It is a cabinet with several parallel horizontal drawers stacked on top of one another. A chest of drawers is frequently used to store clothing and a variety of personal items. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A bachelor’s chest of drawers is a relatively short and shallow chest, usually with three or four drawers. The name refers to their historical use as multi-purpose, space-saving fixtures that are perfect for a bachelor sharing a friend’s flat. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and modern bachelor’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A tall chest of drawers is known as a standard chest of drawers and also as a vertical chest. These are tall and narrow storage pieces. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage tall chests of drawers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A low chest of drawers is called a lowboy. A lowboy sits at waist height and was a prominent piece of bedroom furniture in the 18th century. These low chests of drawers were a clothing storage solution before tallboys and highboys came into fashion. On 1stDibs, there is a variety of antique and vintage low chests of drawers available for sale.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024What a large chest of drawers is called depends on its proportions. In the United States, a wide piece about waist-high is usually called a dresser. A tall, thin chest of drawers is typically referred to as a highboy. On 1stDibs, you can find a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary chests of drawers.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A chest of drawers with a mirror attached is called a bureau. This type of case piece is usually waist-high with a mirror that rests on the top of the structure. They are mainly used in bedrooms. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 1, 2024Yes, there is a difference between a dresser and a chest of drawers. Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This type of case piece was originally a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period.
Find antique and vintage dressers for sale on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021Dressers are designed to offer a place for you to dress, with the top functioning as a table on which to place your clothing. It will offer space for a mirror, whereas chests of drawers are typically exactly that — they provide ample storage while taking up little floor space. A dresser is usually wide and short, while a chest of drawers is narrow and tall. Both types of furniture are commonly used to store clothing and other items in drawers. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary dressers and chests of drawers from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A man’s chest of drawers is also known as a gentleman’s chest. It is characterized by its tall cabinet section that hangs clothes like suits and pants, and also features a column of drawers. Shop a collection of gentleman’s chests from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The first chest of drawers was invented by Chinese physician Hua Tuo during the 3rd century. In the west, chests of drawers began to appear during the 17th century and rose in popularity from there. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique chests of drawers from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between a dresser, a bureau and a chest of drawers is where you place these furnishings and their overall shapes and designs. Usually positioned in a bedroom, a dresser is a wide, low casegood consisting of two or more columns of drawers. When this type of furniture is placed in a living room, office, library or other space beyond the bedroom, people normally refer to it as a bureau. Another type of bedroom furnishing is a chest of drawers, which is a tall vertical column of drawers stacked one above the other. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of dressers, bureaus and chests of drawers.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024The difference between a bureau, a chest of drawers and a dresser comes down to shape and function. Dressers and chests of drawers are both types of bedroom furniture that feature storage drawers. However, bureaus tend to be wider and shorter, while chests of drawers are narrower and taller. Often used for storage outside of bedrooms, bureaus are usually about the same height as dressers but are shorter than chests of drawers. Find a wide range of casegoods on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Yes, a chest of drawers can be used as a bedside table, provided that you have enough space beside your bed to accommodate it. If you want to be able to easily reach items on the top of the chest, choose a piece that is about 2 to 4 inches taller than your mattress. Shop a variety of bedroom furniture on 1stDibs.
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